Adaptable camera support

ABSTRACT

An adaptable camera support includes a quick disconnect, panning ball clamp connectable to an adjustable clamp. The relative angularity and separation of the jaws of the adjustable clamp are independently variable to engage articles of widely varying size and shape. The quick disconnect panning ball clamp includes a rotatable panning base and a ball element rotatable on axes at an angle to the axis of rotation of the panning base. Hinged ball clamp housing sections enable rapid releasing and securing of the ball element and an article attached to the ball element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional App. No. 61/608,365,filed Mar. 8, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for securing an article toa structure and, more particularly, to an adaptable apparatusfacilitating rapid attachment and separation of an optical instrumentand a structure.

Mechanically supporting a camera, binoculars, telescope or other opticalinstrument can substantially improve the instrument's performance. Thisis particularly true when photographing with a long exposure time orusing a heavy telephoto lens where even slight movement can causeblurring of the image. A tripod provides steady mechanical support for acamera, binoculars, telescope or other optical instrument but a tripodcan be cumbersome and difficult to use. On the other hand, a monopodprovides better control of the instrument than handholding, particularlywhen using long, heavy telephoto lenses and is typically lighter,smaller and more portable than a tripod. The freedom of movement offeredby a monopod's single point of support also makes it easier to pan shotsand visually acquire a moving target. The combination of mobility andstability offered by a monopod often makes the monopod the support ofchoice for optical instruments used in the field, for examples, camerasused by wildlife and sports photographers.

Support for an instrument can be further improved by securing the cameraor other instrument to a structure if one is available. For example,when photographing in a game park, securing an instrument with anattached monopod to a portion of the vehicle may provide stabilityapproaching that provided by a tripod. However, securing an instrumentto a vehicle or other structure can be complicated because thearrangement of structural elements providing potential attachment pointsvaries. In addition, securing an instrument, such as a camera, to avehicle adversely affects the instrument's mobility and it is oftendesirable or necessary to the move the instrument so that it can be usedin a different location either within or outside of the vehicle. Time isoften of the essence in photography and other uses of opticalinstruments and the time and effort required to attach and separate theinstrument and the structure adversely affects the mobility andconvenience of a handheld or monopod mounted instrument.

What is desired, therefore, an adaptable apparatus for securing anoptical instrument to a structure that facilitates rapid attachment andseparation of the instrument and the structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adaptable camera support that mayinclude a quick disconnect, panning ball clamp connectable to anadjustable clamp. The relative angularity and separation of jaws of theadjustable clamp may be independently variable to engage articles ofwidely varying size and shape. The quick disconnect panning ball clampmay include a rotatable panning base and a ball element. A hinged ballclamp housing sections may enable rapid releasing and securing of theball element for or to an article attached to the ball element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of an apparatus for securing an opticalinstrument to a structure.

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of an adjustable clamp for securing an opticalinstrument to a structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a monopod collar.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the monopod collar of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a quick-disconnect, panning ball clamp.

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the quick-disconnect, panning ball clampof FIG. 5 illustrating separation of the ball element from the openhousing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring in detail to the drawings where similar parts are identifiedby like reference numerals, and, more particularly to FIG. 1, whentouring a game preserve or otherwise utilizing a camera 26 or otheroptical instrument in a vehicle, it so often desirable to secure thecamera or other instrument to a portion of the vehicle's structure 28with the instrument attached to a monopod 30. Fixing a camera 26 orother instrument to a vehicle stabilizes the camera, but securing anassembly 20 comprising a monopod and camera (or other instrument) to thevehicle is particularly advantageous because it is often desirable tomove the instrument to a different location within the vehicle for useor to use the instrument when dismounted from the vehicle. Steadying acamera 26 or other instrument with a monopod reduces vertical shaking ofthe instrument, sharpens the image, allows slower shutter speeds andreduces small random movements in video. An apparatus for securing acamera or other optical instrument to a structure preferably isadaptable to enable attachment to structural elements having a varietyof shapes and sizes and in varying arrangements and preferably providesrapid and easy separation and attachment of the instrument and thestructure 28 to facilitate use when time is of the essence.

A monopod 30, sometimes called a unipod, is an elongate, single polecommonly used to help support an optical instrument such as a camera 26,telescope or binoculars. Monopods commonly comprise multiple foldingsections or, as illustrated, telescoping tubular sections 32, 34, 36that slide within each other to enable the extension of the monopod froma retracted length facilitating transportation and storage to a lengthuseful for a standing user of the attached optical instrument. Movementof the various telescoping sections of a monopod is commonly controlledby twist locks 38, 40, 42 which are rotatable to release the sectionsfor relative movement and to restrain relative movement of thetelescoping sections. The exemplary monopod 30 is equipped with a foot44 that resists slippage on the supporting surface.

A camera or other instrument can be mounted directly on a monopod but toenable acquisition of a desired image, the monopod typically must eitherbe moved or tilted to reorient the instrument's optical axis or thecamera's image capturing device. The exemplary camera 26 is a mounted ona leveling base 46 which is attached to the monopod 30. The levelingbase allows tilting of the camera so that the base of the camera may bekept horizontal when the monopod is tilted for visually acquiring thephotographic subject. On the other hand, the interface between thecamera and the monopod might be a ball head or a gimbal head.

The exemplary monopod-camera assembly 20 is secured to the structuralelement 28 by an exemplary adaptable securing apparatus 50 comprising amonopod collar 52, a quick-disconnect ball clamp 54 and an adjustableclamp 56.

Referring also to FIG. 2, the adjustable clamp 56 comprises plural jaws70, 72 connected by a pair of screw assemblies 74. Each screw assemblycomprises an elongate tube 76 having a threaded central aperture 78.Each tube 76 is connected to one of the clamp jaws 70, 72 by a trunnion80 that restrains the tube in the direction of the tube's longitudinalaxis but permits the tube to pivot relative to the clamp jaw. Similarly,trunnions 83 engaging the second jaw 70 permit the angular relationshipof the clamp jaw and the respective screws 84, 86 to vary. A knob 88 anda wing nut 90 engage the respective screws 86, 84 and each isconstrained to rotate the screw by a pin 92 passing diametricallythrough the screw and the body of the knob or wing nut. The knob or thewing nut, respectively, and shoulders on the screws bear on thrustwashers 94 which, in turn, bear of the trunnions 83. The thrust washersease rotation of the screws 84, 86 each of which is in threadedengagement with a respective tube 76. By rotating the individual screws84, 86, a user can change the angular relationship and the distancebetween the jaws 70, 72 of the adjustable clamp 56 to enable engagingand securing structural elements of widely varying shape and size.

While other elements, for example an adjustable clamp 56, could be usedfor connecting an optical instrument or a monopod to the quickdisconnect ball clamp 54, the monopod collar 52 of the exemplaryapparatus of FIG. 1 provides a convenient anchoring element for use witha monopod 30. The monopod collar 52 comprises a resilient collar 100which defines a slit 102 enabling expansion of the collar's diameterwhen sliding the collar on to the monopod and contraction of thecollar's diameter when securing the collar on the monopod. Each of apair of screws 104 includes portions engaging the collar 100 on eitherside of the slit 102. Tightening the screws 104 decreases the diameterof the collar to secure the collar to the monopod. The collar 100includes plural bosses 106 each defining a threaded aperture 108 toreceive a screw. Each boss 106 also defines a groove 110 extendingoutward from opposing sides of the threaded aperture.

Referring also to FIGS. 5 and 6, the quick disconnect, panning ballclamp 54 comprises, generally, a ball element 150, a housing 152 and apanning base 154. The ball element 150 comprises an ellipsoid first ballportion 156 which is preferably generally spherical, but which could beelliptical or any other suitable shape. A neck portion 158 extends fromthe ellipsoid first ball portion 156. The neck portion 158 is preferablycylindrical in cross-section and has a surface 160 distal of the neck'sintersection with the first ball portion 156 that preferably defines, atleast, one tab 162 projecting substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis 164 of the neck portion 158. The ball element 150 defines pluralconcentric apertures 166, 168 extending through the first ball portionand along the longitudinal axis 164 of the neck portion 158 and forminga shoulder 170 at their intersection. The ball element 150 can beattached to another article by engaging a screw 172 inserted into theapertures 166, 168 in the ball element with complementary screw threadsin the other article and tightening the screw to secure the article tothe end of the neck portion 158. For example, in FIG. 1, the ballelement 150 is secured to the monopod collar 52 by threading the screwin the ball element into one of the threaded apertures 108 in thecollar. The tab 162 projecting from the end of the neck portion 158 ofthe ball element 150 is arranged to engage a slot, such as the slot 110in the surface of the boss 106 on the collar 54, to prevent rotation ofthe ball element relative to the article to which it is attached andloosening of the screw 172. Similarly, the adjustable clamp includes arecess 59 extending outward from the threaded aperture 57 to receive atab 162 on a ball element. Preferably, the head of the screw 172 definesa wrench cavity 174 enabling a user to engage and tighten the screw witha wrench.

While the housing of the quick disconnect ball clamp could have anyexternal shape, the housing 152 of the exemplary ball clamp 54 isgenerally cylindrical and comprises a first housing segment 180 and asecond housing segment 182 hingedly connected to the first housingsegment. The first 180 and second 182 housing segments each comprise awall defining a respective outer surface and a respective inner surface.The wall of the first housing segment 180 comprises a curved outersurface portion 184, an ear portion 186 projecting generally radiallyfrom the outer surface at one end of the curved surface portion anddefining a slot 188, and a hinge portion defining plural hinge knuckles190 at the opposite end of the curved surface portion. The wall of thesecond housing segment 182 also defines a curved outer surface portion,a hinge portion defining plural hinge knuckles 192 complementary to thehinge knuckles 190 of the first housing segment 180, and a latchanchoring portion 194 projecting roughly radially relative to the curvedouter surface portion and defining a slot 196 and an aperture forreceiving a latch retaining pin 206. The hinge knuckles 190 and 192 ofthe first 180 and second 182 housing segments define, respectively,hinge pin apertures which receive a hinge pin 198.

When the first 180 and second 182 housing segments are pivoted towardeach other about the hinged connection, the housing segments can besecured to each other in a “closed” position by a latch 200. The latch200 comprises a wing nut 202, a threaded eye bolt 204, a first end 201,a middle portion 203, and a retaining pin 206 fixedly inserted throughthe eye of the eye bolt and the retaining pin apertures in the latchanchoring portion 194 of the housing segment. The retaining pin 206allows the eye bolt 204 to pivot so that the stem of the eye bolt canenter the slot 188 in the first housing segment 180 positioning the wingnut 202 to bear against the ear portion 186 of the housing segment.Tightening the wing nut 202 secures the first housing segment 180 andsecond housing segment 180 in the closed position.

When the first 180 and second 182 housing segments are pivoted togetherto the closed position, the inner surfaces 204, 205 of the respectivehousing segments define an elongate aperture 208 extending through thehousing. The surface 204, 205 of the aperture 208 defines a plurality ofspaces of varying shapes and sizes to accommodate the ball element 150and a panning base 154. The panning base 154 is generally circular incross-section and comprises a cylindrical portion 210 and afrustoconical portion 212. The panning base 154 is arranged in thehousing's aperture 208 for rotation on an axis parallel to the axis 224of the housing aperture 208 and is restrained in the direction of theaperture's longitudinal axis 224 by contact between the conical surfaceof the frustoconical portion 212 of the panning base and a complementaryangled portion 214 of the aperture's surface and by contact between theupper surface of the cylindrical portion 210 of the panning base and ashoulder surface portion 216 of the housing segments 180, 182. A screw218 passing through a central aperture in the panning base 154 enablesattachment of the panning base to another article having a correspondingaperture with complimentary threads. For example, the adjustable clamp56 includes plural threaded apertures 57 at different locations on atleast one of the clamp jaws 72 enabling attachment of the panning base154 or the ball element 150 in several positions and orientationsrelative to the elements of the clamp's structure. A recess 59 extendingoutward from the aperture 57 is engageable with a tab or key on theattached article to prevent rotation of the article.

The inner surfaces 204, 205 of the first 180 and second 182 housingsegments include surface portions 220 defining, in the closed position,an ellipsoid socket portion conforming generally to the shape of theellipsoid first ball portion 156 and a second generally frustoconicalspace defined by angled surfaces 222. The ball element 150 is rotatablyretained within the body of the ball clamp 152 by locating the ellipsoidfirst ball portion 156 of the ball element within the socket portionformed by the inner surfaces 220 the housing segments. With the neckportion of the ball projecting from the end of the housing opposite ofthe panning base 154, the second generally frustoconical space definedby angled surfaces 222 provides clearance for the neck portion 158 ofthe ball element permitting rotation of the ball element on axes whichnot parallel to the longitudinal axis 224 of the housing aperture andthe rotational axis of the panning base 154. By rotating the ballelement 150 to an axis not parallel to the axis of the housing aperture,the screw 172 in the ball element 150 can be aligned for engagement witha non-axial threaded aperture in another article. In addition, one ofthe housing segments 182 defines a drop notch 226 for receiving the neckportion 158 of the ball element 150 enabling rotation of the ballelement until the longitudinal axis 164 of the neck portion issubstantially normal to the longitudinal axis 174 of the housingaperture 208.

The quick disconnect, panning ball clamp 54 and the adjustable clamp 56provide an adaptable apparatus 50 for securing an optical instrument,such as a camera, to a structural element 28, such as a part of avehicle or other article. By manipulating the respective screwassemblies 74 of the adjustable clamp 56 the angular relationship andthe distance between the jaws 70, 72 can be changed to engage and clampstructural elements having a variety of shapes and sizes. The adjustableclamp 56 includes a plurality of threaded apertures 57 enablingattachment of a quick disconnect, panning ball clamp 54 in a wide rangeattitudes relative to the structural element engaged by the adjustableclamp. The adaptability of the apparatus is further enhanced by theability to rotate the quick disconnect panning ball clamp 54 about thelongitudinal axis of the housing with the panning base 154 andinterconnect articles in different planes by rotating the ball element150 on an axis that is not parallel to the longitudinal axis of thehousing. Once the apparatus has been arranged to interconnect twoarticles, the articles can be simply and rapidly separated andreattached. For example, the camera-monopod assembly 20 can beinterconnected to the structural element 28, as illustrated in FIG. 1,by attaching the panning base 154 of the quick disconnect ball clamp 54to the adjustable clamp 56. By unlatching and opening the hinged housingsegments of the ball clamp, the user can access the panning base screw218 and thread it into one of the threaded apertures 57 of theadjustable clamp. The ball element 150 can be attached to the monopodcollar 52 by removing the ball element from the clamp's housing andengaging one of the threaded apertures 108 in the collar with the ballelement screw 172. By manipulating the screw assemblies 74 of theadjustable clamp 50 the structural element is engaged and clamped. Thecamera-monopod assembly 20 is interconnected to the structural elementby locating the ellipsoid first ball portion 156 of the ball element 150on one of the surfaces 220 defining the ellipsoid socket space in thehousing aperture. The ball element is retained in the housing by closingthe housing segments 180, 182 and engaging the latch 200. Thecamera-monopod assembly 20 can be separated from the structure byloosening the latch 200 and moving the assembly with the ball elementattached away from the open housing. The camera and monopod can be movedto other positions for use and, if desired, attached to other structuralelements or connected to the structural element 28 by placing the ballelement 150 in the appropriate location in the open housing and closingand latching the housing segments.

The detailed description, above, sets forth numerous specific details toprovide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention maybe practiced without these specific details. In other instances, wellknown methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not beendescribed in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention.

All the references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

The terms and expressions that have been employed in the foregoingspecification are used as terms of description and not of limitation,and there is no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, ofexcluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portionsthereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is definedand limited only by the claims that follow.

We claim:
 1. A ball clamp comprising: (a) a ball element having at leastan ellipsoid portion and a neck portion, wherein said neck portiondefines a first aperture extending along a longitudinal axis throughsaid neck portion, and said ellipsoid portion defines a second apertureextending along said longitudinal axis through said ellipsoid portion,such that the first and second apertures form a shoulder at theirintersection, said shoulder and said first and second aperturesstructured to accept a fastening element for attachment to an article;(b) a first housing segment including a first interior surface; (c) asecond housing segment including a second interior surface hingedlyconnected to said first housing segment, said second housing segmentrotatable relative to said first housing segment to a closed positionwhere said first housing segment and said second housing segment definean elongate aperture defined by said first interior surface and saidsecond interior surface including a socket portion arranged to rotatablyretain said ellipsoid portion in a manner such that removal of said ballelement is prevented when said first and second housing segments are insaid closed position, and such that removal of said ellipsoid portionfrom said socket portion which is otherwise not removable from saidfirst and second housing segments is enabled in an open position; and(d) a latch apparatus secured to said first housing segment andengageable with said second housing segment by rotation of said latchapparatus from a first position where said latch apparatus is not withina notch defined by said second housing segment to a second positionwhere said latch apparatus is into said notch defined by said secondhousing segment to secure said first and second housing segments in saidclosed position, where a first end of said latch apparatus is secured tosaid first housing segment when said first housing segment and saidsecond housing segment is in said closed position and when said firsthousing segment and said second housing segment is in said openposition, and a middle portion of said latch apparatus is engaged withsaid second housing segment when said first housing segment and saidsecond housing segment is in said closed position and said middleportion of said latch apparatus is not engaged with said second housingsegment when said first housing segment and said second housing segmentis in said open position; (e) a panning base including a frustoconicalsurface engageable with a respective conical surface of said firsthousing segment and said second housing segment for rotation about saidlongitudinal axis of said elongate aperture.
 2. The ball clamp of claim1 wherein said fastening element is a threaded screw.
 3. The ball clampof claim 2 wherein said first housing segment and said second housingsegment in said closed position further define a frustoconical portionof said elongate aperture enabling said ellipsoid portion to be rotatedabout an axis which is not parallel to said longitudinal axis of saidelongate aperture.
 4. The ball clamp of claim 2 wherein at least one ofsaid first housing segment and said second housing segment includes anexterior surface and defines a slot connecting said exterior surface andsaid elongate aperture, said slot arranged to receive an attachingmechanism.
 5. A ball clamp comprising: (a) a ball element having anellipsoid portion, wherein said ellipsoid portion defines a securementaperture extending along an elongate axis and through said ellipsoidportion, such that said securement aperture defines a shoulder, whereinsaid securement aperture and shoulder are structured to accept a firstattaching mechanism enabling said ball element to be secured to anarticle; (b) a panning base having a frustoconical surface and includinga second attaching mechanism enabling said panning base to be secured toa second article; (c) a first housing segment including a first interiorsurface; (d) a second housing segment including a second interiorsurface hingedly connected to said first housing segment, said secondhousing segment rotatable relative to said first housing segment to aclosed position where said first housing segment and said second housingsegment define an elongate aperture defined by said first interiorsurface and said second interior surface including a socket portionarranged to rotatably retain said ellipsoid portion, and saidfrustoconical surface of said panning base being retained by said firstand second housing segments, in a manner such that removal of said ballelement from said first housing segment and said second housing segmentis prevented in said closed position, said first housing segment andsaid second housing segment rotatable to open position where saidfrustoconical surface of said panning base is not retained by either ofsaid first housing segment and said second housing segment and rotatableto said open position enabling removal of said ellipsoid portion fromsaid socket portion which is otherwise not removable from said first andsecond housing segments without being in said open position; and (e) alatch apparatus secured to said first housing segment and engageablewith said second housing segment to secure said housing segments in saidclosed position.
 6. The ball clamp of claim 5 wherein said first housingsegment and said second housing segment in said closed position furtherdefine a frustoconical portion of said elongate aperture arranged topermit said first attaching mechanism to move when said ellipsoidportion is rotated about an axis which is not parallel to a longitudinalaxis of said elongate aperture.
 7. The ball clamp of claim 5 wherein atleast one of said first housing segment and said second housing segmentincludes an exterior surface and defines a slot connecting said exteriorsurface and said elongate aperture, said slot arranged to receive saidfirst attaching mechanism.